Motor-Integrated Converter End Shield Layout for Compact Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems for variable-speed dynamoelectric machines, such as electric motors, require significant installation space and are bulky due to separate housing of frequency converters, leading to increased size and weight.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a dynamo-electric rotary machine and an inverter within a single housing, with the inverter's components thermally connected to the end shield and cooled by a fan unit, optimizing space utilization and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the frequency converter is housed in a separate control cabinet or mounted externally on the motor housing, then the converter has sufficient space for ventilation and component arrangement, but the drive unit requires significant installation space and becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frequency converter and the motor into a single integrated housing structure. The converter is positioned within the motor housing, specifically utilizing the B-side end shield area, eliminating the need for separate control cabinets or external mounting structures. This integration directly reduces installation space while maintaining functional independence of both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses both the motor components and the frequency converter, provides thermal management for the converter through integrated cooling channels, and maintains mechanical support functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate housing structures for the converter.
2Volume of moving object
If the converter components are mounted directly on the motor housing, then the drive unit becomes compact, but thermal management becomes challenging due to limited ventilation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal management system consisting of integrated cooling channels and heat dissipation pathways within the housing structure. These intermediaries facilitate heat transfer from the converter components to the external environment without requiring separate ventilation spaces, thus maintaining compact size while effective thermal management.
3Volume of moving object
If the converter is integrated within the motor housing, then installation space is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex and manufacturing more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated housing is designed as segmented modular components that can be manufactured separately and assembled. The converter housing section can be produced independently using standard manufacturing processes, then integrated with the motor housing through standardized connection interfaces, simplifying overall manufacturing while maintaining the compact integrated structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration results in a compact, efficient drive system with improved thermal management and reduced installation space requirements, allowing for modular attachments and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The stator fit ensures comparatively good heat transfer from the stator's laminated core to the housing and optional housing fins
Implementation Method 2
The inverter's power semiconductors, such as IGBTs, which are particularly heat-intensive components, are in direct thermal contact with the end shield, especially with the side wall of the cup-shaped B-side end shield. This provides direct thermal coupling to the side walls of the cup-shaped end shield, thus facilitating heat dissipation from the inverter, particularly via the side walls.
Implementation Method 3
This is achieved primarily by arranging heat-intensive components of the inverter on an inner side wall of the cup-shaped end shield
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive (30) comprising: - at least one dynamoelectric rotary machine (1) arranged in a housing (2), with a winding system (5) arranged in a stator (4) and a rotor (6) separated therefrom by an air gap (23), which is rotatably mounted about an axis (12) via at least one bearing (10) of a B-side cup-shaped end shield (7); - at least one converter, wherein the converter comprises at least some of the following components, such as power semiconductors, inductors, capacitors, control and regulation units, and communication units in a housing volume (13), wherein the converter is radially surrounded at least partially by the B-side end shield (7), and at least some components of the converter are thermally connected to the end shield (7), in particular by arranging heat-intensive components of the converter on an inner side wall (20) of the cup-shaped end shield (7).- wherein the converter is arranged axially between the dynamoelectric rotary machine (1) and the bearing of the B-side pot-shaped bearing shield (7).